Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated the Indian men's volleyball contingent for securing the country's first-ever medal at the AVC Men's Volleyball Cup 2026, held in Gandhinagar. The Indian team won the bronze medal after defeating Bahrain 3-1 in the third-place playoff, marking India's best-ever finish in the tournament's history.
The Indian national team, comprising 14 selected players under Serbian coach Dragan Mihailovic and captain Jerome Vinith Charles, delivered an impressive campaign throughout the tournament, remaining unbeaten during the pool stage. The bronze medal earned valuable FIVB World Ranking points, resulting in the Indian men's team climbing 18 places from World No. 60 to World No. 42, significantly enhancing India's standing on the global volleyball stage.
This edition marked the first occasion that India hosted the AVC Men's Volleyball Cup, adding an important chapter to the country's sporting calendar and reinforcing its growing capability to host major international sporting events. Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that the government is building a robust sporting ecosystem through long-term planning, academy development, talent identification, sports science, athlete welfare, and improved international exposure, with the goal of producing sustained excellence across disciplines.
Team captain Jerome Vinith Charles expressed gratitude for the government's support, noting the world-class facilities, training environment, and recovery arrangements that allowed the team to focus entirely on their game. Chief Coach Dragan Mihailović praised the government's long-term vision and expressed confidence that India will regularly stand on the podium at major international sporting events if the current momentum continues.